1326                               Laws of Maryland                         [Ch. 798

ness, including, but not limited to, the business of installing, erecting
or repairing, or contracting to install, erect or repair electric wires
of conductors, to be used for the transmission of electric current for
electric light, heat or power purposes, or mouldings, ducts, race-
ways or conduits for the reception or protection of such wires or
conductors, and the installation, maintenance, repair and use of any
electrical machinery, apparatus, devices or fixtures.

(b) The County Commissioners are hereby authorized to make
and from time to time to amend, supplement and repeal, rules and
regulations for the conduct of the electrical business in the county,
and such other regulations as they may from time to time find
necessary and proper in order to supervise and control the conduct
of the electrical business in the public interest, in order to safe-
guard the public health, safety, morals and general welfare. Any
such regulations shall contain proper standards for the exercise of
the discretion hereby conferred and shall operate uniformly. Before
the County Commissioners shall adopt any such regulations they
shall hold a public hearing thereon after at least ten days notice to
the public by publications in one or more newspapers published in
Carroll County.

(c)  Such regulations may impose reasonable charges and fees for
licenses, permits, inspections and other services rendered by the
Administrative officials under the authority thereof. EXCEPT
THAT THE CHARGES AND FEES IMPOSED SHALL NOT BE
GREATER THAN THE MINIMUM NECESSARY TO DEFRAY
THE EXPENSES OF ADMINISTERING THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SUB-TITLE.

(d)   The County Commissioners may impose and set reasonable
penalties for violations of this sub-title.

(e)  The provisions of this sub-title shall not apply to any electric
light or power company, electric railway company, steam railway
company, telegraph or telephone company, nor to their agents or
employees, where the electrical work undertaken or engaged in by
said utility company, or its said agents or employees, is required in
connection with its plant, of the service such company is authorized
to furnish the public; except that in no case shall any electrical
installation by an electric light or power company beyond its meter
installation be regarded as comprised within this exemption, except
temporary repairs in the case of an emergency.

(F) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUB-TITLE SHALL BE
EFFECTIVE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS FROM JUNE 1,
1959, AND SHALL BE NULL AND VOID ON AND AFTER JUNE
1, 1961, UNLESS PRIOR THERETO THE COUNTY COMMIS-
SIONERS HAVE ADOPTED RULES AND REGULATIONS TO
CARRY OUT THE INTENT OF THIS SUB-TITLE.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That if any provision of this
sub-title or the application thereof to any person or circumstances
is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions
or any other application of this sub-title which can be given effect
without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the
provisions of this sub-title are hereby declared to be severable.